Today there are 137 different game server hosting companies. We spent 115 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to host your games with.
What is the Best Game Server Hosting Software?
- HostHavoc — best of the best
- GTX — best for casual gamers
- PingPerfect — best for professional gamers
- Unity — best for game developers
- GameserverKings — best for Rust
- Apex Hosting — best for Minecraft
- Survival Servers — best for fast set up
1. HostHavoc
Our Verdict — Best Of The Best
Price: Starts at $5/month
HostHavoc is a reliable server hosting solution for gamers who want top-tier performance. We think it’s the best because of its fast servers, superb reliability, and 24/7 customer support.
The Best Part:
It’s incredibly reliable. With HostHavoc’s 99.99% uptime guarantee, you can be positive your games will run without any interruptions.
The Worst Part:
Limited geographic coverage. HostHavoc lacks data centers in Africa and South America, leading to less stable connections for players in those regions.
Get it if you want a reliable game server host with excellent performance and a stellar support team.
I recommend you get started by choosing a server package of the game of your choice.
(72-hour money-back guarantee)
Best For
HostHavoc is best for gaming enthusiasts who need a reliable game server hosting solution.
Top Features
- User-friendly control panel. Add new mods, update plugins, and take full control of your server settings with HostHavoc’s sleek panel.
- Scalable pricing. Select a server which is tailored to your needs and easily upgrade as you need.
- Round-the-clock support. Ensure you’re never left hanging with HostHavoc’s 24/7 support availability.
- Lightning-fast storage. Kiss slow load times goodbye with HostHavoc’s cutting-edge NVMe SSD storage.
- Free DDoS protection. Keep your game server safe from cyberattacks with HostHavoc’s complimentary DDoS protection.
Pricing
HostHavoc offers a single pricing plan:
Custom pricing: Starting at $5/month, for gamers who a reliable host for games such as Minecraft, Rust, and CS:GO.
Annual plans provide a 12% discount.
Try HostHavoc today with a 72-hour money-back guarantee.
2. GTX
Our Verdict — Best For Casual Gamers
Price: Custom
GTX is a high-performance game server host with a proven track record of excellent service. We think it’s the best for casual gamers because of its constantly upgraded servers, stellar customer support, and cryptocurrency support.
The Best Part:
Outstanding 24/7 support. GTX boasts a team of specialists ready to solve your technical issues anytime. You can also join GTX’s Discord server to interact with other users and ask for quick help.
The Worst Part:
Dated interface. GTX’s control panel, while functional, can feel a little outdated when compared to some competitors sporting.
Get it if you want a game server host that offers great performance and 24/7 expert support.
I recommend you choose a server package of the game of your choice.
(24-hour money-back guarantee)
Best For
GTX is best for casual gamers who want a lightning-fast gaming host with affordable rates.
Top Features
- Worldwide data centers. Get access to servers from over 30+ global locations and run tests in real-time to identify which have the lowest pings.
- Offsite backups. Sleep like a baby knowing your game server is always safe with GTX’s daily backups which are stored offsite.
- Competitive pricing. Get the best bang for your buck whether you’re playing new or classic game titles.
- Extensive game support. Enjoy reliable game hosting for 100+ games, including Minecraft, Rust, and CS:GO.
- Crypto-friendly. Pay for GTX game server hosting with cryptocurrency.
Pricing
GTX offers a single pricing plan:
Custom pricing: Custom monthly fee, for casual gamers who want a reliable gaming host that operates with high-speed gaming servers across 30+ data centers worldwide.
Try GTX today with a 24-hour money-back guarantee.
3. PingPerfect
Our Verdict — Best For Professional Gamers
Price: Custom
PingPerfect is a feature-rich host with an enormous library of game servers. We think it’s the best for professional gamers because of its hassle-free server switching options, complimentary web hosting, and wide range of game servers.
The Best Part:
It’s a gamer’s wonderland. PingPerfect sets the bar high for other game server hosts with its jaw-dropping selection of 200+ game servers.
The Worst Part:
Pricey new releases. Newly released games on PingPerfect usually come with a hefty price tag.
Get it if you want a feature-rich game server host with a wide selection of game servers.
I recommend you rent a server for your favorite game on the PingPerfect website.
(48-hour money-back guarantee)
Best For
PingPerfect is best for professional gamers who want a feature-rich game server host with a wide array of game servers.
Top Features
- Seamless game switching. Hop, skip, and jump between various game servers with just a few clicks.
- Free web hosting. Get a free 1 GB of website hosting upon renting any server for over $13/month.
- Mobile-friendly website. Manage your servers on the go with PingPerfect’s mobile-optimized interface.
- User-friendly game panel. Configure your game server with a hand behind your back, with PingPerfect’s intuitive game panel.
- Data centers worldwide. Experience seamless gaming and optimal connections for you and your team, no matter where you are.
Pricing
PingPerfect offers a single pricing plan:
Custom pricing: Custom monthly prices, for professional gamers who want comprehensive game server hosting with complimentary web hosting, global data centers, and seamless game switching.
Try PingPerfect today with a 48-hour money-back guarantee.
Our Top Three Picks
Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:
- HostHavoc — best of the best
- GTX — best for casual gamers
- PingPerfect — best for professional gamers
Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:
Tool | Entry Offer | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
HostHavoc | 72-hour money-back guarantee | Starts at $5/mo |
GTX | 24-hour money-back guarantee | Starts at $6/mo |
PingPerfect | 48-hour money-back guarantee | Custom |
Unity | Free plan | Custom |
GameserverKings | 24-hour money-back guarantee | Custom |
Apex Hosting | 7-day money-back guarantee | Starts at $4.49/mo |
Survival Servers | 72-hour money-back guarantee | Custom |
Here are the top 50 game server hosting companies we considered in this review:
- HostHavoc
- GTX
- PingPerfect
- Unity
- GameserverKings
- Apex Hosting
- Survival Servers
- GameHosting.co
- Game Servers
- MCProHosting
- BisectHosting
- Nitrous Networks
- Amazon GameLift
- ScalaCube
- Elite Game Servers
- Nodecraft
- Cloudzy
- Fozzy
- Sparkedhost
- OVHcloud
- Google Cloud
- Citadel Servers
- Amazon GameLift
- So you Start
- Vultr
- Nitrado
- G Portal
- Shockbyte
- Server.pro
- Fragnet
- Streamline Servers
- Armahosts
- LOW.MS
- Logicservers
- Bluefang Solutions
- ServerBlend
- Iceline Hosting
- RoxServers
- ZAP-Hosting
- Hivelocity
- BlackBox Servers
- Wombat Servers
- RamShard
- AleForge
- CoreGames
- CraftAndSurvive
- XgamingServer
- GamingDeluxe
- LevelUp Servers
- VeloxServers
Is it profitable to host a game server?
The profitability of hosting a game server depends on various factors, including the demand for the game, server costs, and the ability to monetize the server effectively.
By offering unique experiences, in-game content, and community-driven features, you can attract more players and potentially generate revenue through various means, such as in-game purchases, advertising, or subscription fees.
Hosting a game server can be profitable, but its success depends on various factors such as game popularity, server locations, and hosting costs. Dedicated game server hosting providers like Host Havoc, GTX, and Apex Hosting offer affordable pricing options, allowing you to rent or run dedicated game servers at a reasonable price.
Furthermore, instant setup, daily backups, and a variety of game server hosting plans enable you to customize your server according to demand and potential revenue. It's essential to offer a good gaming experience and ensure customer satisfaction by providing a reliable service, a responsive customer support team, and a game control panel to manage your servers efficiently. Analyzing the market demand and selecting the right games to host can significantly increase your profitability.
What games can you host on a server?
A wide selection of games can be hosted on dedicated game servers. These include popular multiplayer games such as Garry's Mod, Minecraft, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, ARK: Survival Evolved, Rust, and many more.
Various game server hosting providers like Host Havoc, Apex Hosting, and GTX Gaming offer a comprehensive list of supported games, with some even providing support for Steam workshop integration. The range of games available for hosting depends on the service provider and the specific game server hosting platform you choose.
How much RAM should a game server have?
The amount of RAM required for a game server depends on the game, the number of players, and the server's additional features, such as mods and plugins. As a general rule, dedicated game servers should have at least 8GB of RAM for smaller games, while more resource-intensive games may require 16GB or more.
Powerful servers provided by companies like Host Havoc, GTX, and PingPerfect offer various server types and configurations to cater to different game hosting needs. It's crucial to consider the specific game requirements and the expected number of players when determining the appropriate RAM for your game server.
How much does an online gaming server cost?
The cost of an online gaming server varies depending on the game, player slots, server type, and the hosting provider.
Typically, game server hosting providers offer plans that charge per month per slot, with some also offering unlimited slots for certain games. Hosting costs can range from a few dollars per month for smaller servers to hundreds of dollars for high-end, dedicated server hosting. Providers like Host Havoc, GTX, and PingPerfect offer various pricing options and features, such as instant server setup, FTP access, and a 3-day money-back guarantee, to cater to different budgets and requirements.
You can expect the prices to start around $5/month, and go up from there if you add more slots or need hosting for a newer game release.
Which server is best for game hosting?
The best server for game hosting depends on your specific needs, such as the desired game, player capacity, and available budget. Based on overall performance, features, and customer reviews, the top three game hosting providers are:
- Host Havoc: Widely considered the best game hosting provider, Host Havoc offers a wide range of dedicated server plans, instant server setup, and excellent customer support. They cater to various gaming needs with affordable pricing, FTP access, and root access, ensuring a reliable and smooth gaming experience.
- GTX Gaming: A top choice for casual gamers, GTX Gaming provides a user-friendly platform and a variety of game server hosting options. They offer instant setup, daily backups, and a selection of games. Their affordable pricing, combined with a robust infrastructure, makes GTX Gaming an ideal choice for those seeking a balance between cost and performance.
- PingPerfect: Renowned for their service to professional gamers, PingPerfect offers powerful servers, high-quality network infrastructure, and excellent customer support. They provide a range of server types, customizable game server hosting plans, and features such as automatic backups and root access. PingPerfect's commitment to high performance and reliability makes them a preferred choice for professional gamers and gaming communities.
To determine the best server for your gaming needs, consider factors such as server locations, reliability, customer reviews, and the provider's track record.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best game server hosting companies to try this year:
- HostHavoc — best of the best
- GTX — best for casual gamers
- PingPerfect — best for professional gamers
- Unity — best for game developers
- GameserverKings — best for Rust
- Apex Hosting — best for Minecraft
- Survival Servers — best for fast set up
